Harness racing returned to Woodbine Racetrack Thursday evening with Autumn Series action highlighting a 10-race program.
A quartet of $16,000 second leg Autumn Series divisions for three-year-old colts and geldings were contested with a pair of round one winners repeating.
Think On It delivered a carbon copy of his round one victory by taking Thursday's first division for pacing colts and geldings in 1:54.4.
The Bob McIntosh trainee was sent to the front by driver Paul MacDonell and never looked back. Think On It posted fractions of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:25.4.
Tango Star, the 5-2 favourite, was pressing first up at three-quarters, but had difficulties and blew the turn. Think On It took full advantage of his rival's troubles and cruised home to win by a length and a quarter over pocket-sitter Bugatti. Sure Fired Bet finished third.
A gelded son of Ponder, Think On It now has four wins in 11 starts this season after winning one of five as a rookie. His round two victory pushes his seasonal earnings to $30,060 and his career earnings to $49,890.
Think On It is owned by Robert McIntosh Stables Inc, Dave Boyle and James Walker.
Despite winning last week, Think On It paid $11.50 to win Thursday.
The second division was action-packed right from the start, but it was calm and patient drive from Trevor Henry that got Twomacsonemach to the winner’s circle.
The Victor Puddy trainee left from post-two and got away near the front, while the leadership shuffled multiple-times throughout. Cams Lucky Sam was parked around the first turn and was all out to clear to the front at the half in :55.3.
Senior K, the 5-2 favourite, had been parked every step of the way and was left first over after Cams Lucky Sam cleared. Henry slipped off the pylons with Twomacsonemach to sit second-over on the final turn.
Senior K grinded away and at Cams Lucky Sam, as they rolled by three-quarters in 1:23.3, but neither had much left from a stretch drive.
In the stretch, Henry showed his charge clear sailing and Twomacsonemach responded to win by a length and a quarter in 1:54.1. Several horses rallied to finish up well, including P L Jackson and Archangel Three, who finished in a dead-heat for second.
A gelded son of Mach Three, Twomacsonemach now has eight wins in 22 starts this season after going winless in eight as a rookie. The Puddy trainee increased his seasonal earnings to $42,761 and his career earnings to $46,021 with Thursday’s score.
Twomacsonemach is owned by Wayne Mac Rae and Howmac Farms Lid. He paid $12.40 to win.
Over on the trotting side, Mission Man capitalized off a great trip to strike for a 25/1 upset in the first division.
Driven by James MacDonald, Mission Man left from post-ten and was able to drop in the three-hole. The Land Shark cut the mile and posted fractions of :28, :58.2 and 1:27.2.
In the stretch, MacDonald was able to angle out Mission Man and feed him open racetrack. The Russell Bax trainee hit his best stride and surged by rivals for a three-quarter length victory in 1:57.3.
The Land Shark had to settle for second, while Monopoly, who came first up on the final turn, was third.
A gelded son of Manofmanymissions, Mission Man had just one win in 17 starts coming into Thursday’s contest. The Bax trainee, who was unraced at two, finished fourth in a leg one division last week.
Mission Man now has $30,260 earned for owners Baxmar Holsteins Ltd. He paid $55.60 to win.
For the second consecutive week, Georgies Pockets turned in a dominating performance to win an Autumn Series division.
The Jack Moiseyev trainee, who won by nearly six lengths last week, made a backstretch move from fourth to first and cleared to the lead at five-eighths. Georgies Pockets cruised by three-quarters in 1:27.3 and then proceeded to leave his rivals in another area code, trotting home strongly for a six length score in 1:56.3.
Innovative Force finished second, while JLS Bad Moon Risin was third.
A son of Muscle Mass, Georgies Pockets now has five wins in 10 starts this season after winning six of nine as a rookie. His seasonal earnings now sit at $52,000, while his career earnings are over $146,000 for owner M T Pockets Stables.
The Moiseyev trainee paid $2.80 and will now have a chance at a series sweep.
The Autumn Series for three-year-olds will conclude next Friday (November 18) with all four categories finals taking place.
In order to be eligible to the Ontario Sired Autumn Series, the three-year-olds had to be non-winners of $50,000 lifetime or $30,000 this season as of September 30, 2016.
Live racing continues Friday at Woodbine with the eliminations of the Valley Victory and Three Diamonds headlining the 11-race card. Post time is 7:30 p.m.
(WEG)
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Racetrack.